Do you want to work with children? www.portsmouth.gov.uk

Do you want to work
with children?
A guide to working in early years, childcare and playwork
www.portsmouth.gov.uk
2
Contents
Introduction
Early years and childcare service
Why work with children?
Who can work with children?
Where could I work?
Job roles
Qualifications
Levels of qualifications
Who can help?
Useful contacts list
Introduction
This guide will:
This guide is for:
• describe the range of jobs involving children so
you can decide what interests you
• anyone considering a career working with
children
• list the training and qualifications currently
available in early years childcare and playwork
• people already working in the sector who are
seeking further information about career
progression
• demonstrate how these courses and
qualifications relate to various jobs in the sector
• employers, careers advisers, schools and colleges
There has never been a better time to work in early
years and childcare. It’s a growing sector and there is
an increasing demand for staff at all levels, which is
likely to continue.
There are also plenty of opportunities to gain
training and qualifications.
• inform you of the services available from
Portsmouth early years and childcare service
If you are looking for a career that’s rewarding,
varied, interesting and at times challenging, then
working with children could be for you.
Whatever role or route you might choose, you can
be certain that no two days will be the same, as you
support young minds to explore, experience and
develop an understanding of the world around them
as they grow.
3
4
Early years and
childcare service –
How we can help you
The following services are available from Portsmouth
City Council’s early years and childcare service to
help you start or progress your career with children.
Careers in childcare
If you have any questions about careers in childcare
or would like information on volunteering, contact
the workforce development officer on 023 9268
8833 and they will give you advice or signpost you
to the right organisation.
Registered childminding
The first stage to becoming a childminder is to book
on to a briefing session where you will find out
about childminding and the registration process.
These meetings are held throughout the year. For
more information and to book on to a meeting
please contact Portsmouth CHAT - family
information service on 023 9268 8830.
Job vacancy bulletin
If you are looking for a job, the early years and
childcare job vacancy bulletin is available and
contains a range of jobs across Portsmouth
nurseries, pre-schools and out of school clubs. Each
vacancy gives details on hours, duties, essential
qualifications, skills and salary.
To be added to the mailing list call the workforce
development officer on 023 9268 8833 or view the
bulletin online at www.portsmouth.gov.uk/learning
Setting up your own childcare business
If you are considering setting up your own childcare
business, please contact the Portsmouth CHAT family information service for initial information on
023 9268 8830.
Training programme and qualifications guide
We want to make sure that all staff have every
opportunity for training and professional
development.
The training officer will be happy to answer your
questions about childcare qualifications and
training, whether you are just starting or if you are
looking for career development.
A qualifications guide is available online at www.
portsmouth.gov.uk/learning and has information on
childcare, early years and playwork qualifications
and training in Portsmouth for people not yet
working in the sector.
In addition the training programme lists a number
of different courses and workshops available to
practitioners working or volunteering in Portsmouth
settings such as nurseries, sessional pre-schools, out
of school clubs and childminding.
If you have any questions about training or would
like a printed copy of the qualifications guide or
training programme contact the workforce
development officer on 023 9268 8833.
Bursaries
The early years and childcare service offer funding
to help people in paid or unpaid work within a
setting to achieve a relevant childcare qualification.
For further information see the qualifications guide
at the back of this pack, or contact the workforce
development officer on 023 9268 8833.
5
Why work with
children?
Who can work with
children?
Making a considered choice about your career is
very important especially when it comes to working
with children. Before you go any further it is
important to ask yourself “why do I want to work
with children?”
Anybody with the right qualities, knowledge
and skills can build a career in childcare.
Children should have the best opportunities in life to:
• those looking to return to work
• be healthy
• people form all cultural backgrounds
• be happy and safe
• those looking for a change in career path
• enjoy and achieve
Caring for children requires a number of
important qualities. How many of these
qualities do you have?
• make a positive contribution
• achieve economic wellbeing
Every Child Matters – Department for Education and
Skills (DfES) 2003
For children to grow into healthy, safe, secure and
educationally confident people, they need welltrained, caring professional adults to support them
and their families.
Working with children is definitely rewarding.
Children’s natural curiosity, sense of wonder and
enthusiasm for play and learning has a positive
effect on the adults that work with them. But
equally, children need adults who bring the same
enthusiasm to these play and learning experiences.
Opportunities are open to:
• men and women of any age
 agenuine interest in children and their
development
 a caring nature
 p
atience – children can be demanding and you
need to be tolerant of their behaviour
 c
onfidence – you must be able to maintain
positive behaviour
 g
ood communication and listening skills – you
need to be able to talk to children in a clear and
simple way and listen to what they are saying
 enthusiasm – children respond best to a happy
and friendly person
 a sense of humour
 t
eam spirit – staff have to work together as
a team
 o
rganisational and planning skills. You may be
asked to plan activities or keep a record of a
child’s development
All childcare practitioners are required to have an
enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure
before beginning any work/training with children. This
also includes volunteers and anybody over the age of
16 living with, or regularly visiting a childminder.
6
Where could I work?
In recent years there has been a huge expansion in
childcare provision across the UK. There are many
different types of childcare, early years and play
environments to consider working in, some of which
are outlined below.
Nurseries
A day nursery provides full day care, education and
play for children up to the age of five and are
generally open on weekdays all year round (except
bank holidays). There are different types of nurseries:
private, community and voluntary. They offer parttime and full-time places for children and may also
offer out of school care for 5 - 11 year olds.
Pre-schools and playgroups
Pre-schools and playgroups provide care and most
provide early education, for children aged 2 - 5
years. Many are organised by community or
voluntary groups. They usually offer morning and/or
afternoon sessions, often during term time only.
Like other childcare providers, pre-schools undertake
activities with the children to help them develop
their social and learning skills, which are a vital part
of their early years development and preparation for
full-time education and beyond.
Holiday playschemes can also take place in
community centres, leisure centres or church halls.
They are a great place for young people to meet
their friends and they also offer a wide range of
activities to keep them busy such as sports, drama,
arts, craft and music.
Childminding
Childminders are professional child carers registered
and inspected by Ofsted. They provide quality care
and learning opportunities for other people’s children
in a family setting (usually the childminder’s own
home). They are allowed to care for up to six children
– including their own – up to the age of eight. Many
continue caring for children to the age of 14.
Most childminders work from 8am to 6pm but they
are usually flexible and some offer hours outside of
these times for parents that may work shifts or
weekends.
Childminder’s are self-employed and are responsible
for their own tax, national insurance and
administration records.
Extended schools
By 2010 all primary schools will be extended schools
offering access to childcare provision and a range of
other services. This means that there will be
breakfast clubs and after-school clubs either on the
school site or in partnership with other schools.
Crèches
A crèche is a setting where parents leave their
children for relatively short periods of time. Many
crèches are connected with colleges, to allow
parents to take advantage of learning opportunities.
Crèches usually care for children from 1 - 8 years
old. Work within a crèche is often part-time.
Children’s Centres
Out of school clubs and holiday playschemes
Out of school clubs can be run before and after
school and all day during school holidays. They
include: breakfast and after-school clubs, homework
clubs, holiday playschemes and activity centres.
They give 4 - 16 year olds a safe and enjoyable place
to socialise with friends, play sports, take part in
activities or catch up on homework.
Children’s Centres deliver a wide range of services
for children aged 0 - 5 and their families in local
communities. The centres bring together health,
social and emotional development and early learning
for children, and act as a centre for community and
economic development. Teams of multi-agency
professionals work together to ensure that children
have the best start in life.
Services for families at children’s centres include:
• early education and childcare from 8am - 6pm for
48 weeks of the year
7
• family support services
• health services, including services from midwives,
health visitors, speech and language specialists
• opportunities for parents to access training and
learning to help them build their own skills
• Jobcentre Plus staff link with Children Centres to
provide information and advice to parents
Case studies
The enclosed CD provides a range of case studies of
people working within the sector.
Pay and conditions
The hours
There are so many different jobs available offering a
variety of hours.
There are: full-time jobs, term-time jobs, morning
jobs and afternoon jobs.
You might work every morning in a pre-school, have
a late finish at a nursery, work lunchtime until late
afternoon in a school then an after-school club, or
you might work full-time at a Children’s Centre.
Flexibility is seen as one of the many advantages of
working in the childcare sector.
The conditions
These will vary as there are so many different
employers within the sector.
All employers have to meet national requirements
such as equal opportunities, holiday entitlements,
sick pay, maternity leave, national minimum wage
and working time directive.
Some employers offer additional incentives such as:
stakeholder pensions, private health care, reduced
childcare rates for the children of their employees
and flexible working so that parents can attend
events at their child’s school.
The pay
Pay scales range within early years and childcare
depending upon your experience, qualifications,
your employer and the job that you are doing.
All staff are paid at least the minimum wage – this is
altered in line with inflation in October of each year.
8
Job roles
The following section includes a variety of job roles
working with children. For further information about
training and qualifications turn to page 16.
Job roles included are:
• early years teacher/early years professional
• local authority early years employees
• nursery manager/pre-school leader
• early years practitioner
• pre-school / playgroup assistant
• playworker / playleader
• registered childminder
Although working as a childminder, in a nursery,
pre-school or out of school club, are the most
commonly talked about jobs in the childcare sector
there are many more. Some of which are listed
below:
• community nursery nurse
• hospital play specialist
• nanny
• NVQ assessor
• teaching assistant/learning support assistant
9
Job Title
Brief description of job
Training/Qualifications
Opportunities
Community
nursery nurse
Community nursery nurses
work as a member of a
health visiting team to
support planned programmes
of health care and health
promotion with families and
young children
BTEC National Diploma
in Children’s Care,
Learning and
Development
As a community nursery
nurse, you will also have
a basis for further
training for a career in
social work, family
support work, health
promotion and hospital
play
CACHE Level 3 Diploma
in Child Care and
Education
Community nursery nurses may
NVQ Level 3 in Children’s
find themselves involved in:
Care, Learning and
• setting up and supporting Development
the running of child health
clinics
• participating in child
developmental reviews
• advising parents on
positive parenting
Early years teacher A qualified teacher with an
early years background/
specialism working within a
primary school, nursery or
children’s centre
Early years teachers may find
themselves involved in:
• teaching all areas of the
Early Years Foundation
Stage
• meeting requirements for
the observation,
assessment and recording
of children’s development
• organising learning
materials and resources
Qualified Teacher Status
(QTS)
Once qualified and
experienced with
Qualified Teacher Status
you will be able to work
in a school or for a local
authority
10
Job Title
Brief description of job
Training/Qualifications
Opportunities
Early years
professional
Early years professionals
(EYPs) work in a wide range
of roles in group settings
such as nurseries, pre-schools
and children’s centres. They
lead practice, support other
practitioners and are central
to helping children develop
from birth until the age of
five, a crucial time in a child’s
life
Early Years Professional
Status which is gained in
addition to already
achieving a degree.
GCSE English and Maths
grade C or above and
experience of working
with children from birth
to 5
After gaining EYP Status
you may be able to work
for a local authority or
manage the Early Years
Foundation Stage within
an early years setting
EYPs may find themselves
involved in:
• changing, shaping and
improving practice
An Early Years
Professional is the same
status as Qualified
Teacher Status but not
the same level
qualification
• modelling skills and
behaviours that safeguard
and promote good
outcomes for children
• provide leadership that
will support and mentor
other staff
• lead the Early Years
Foundation Stage
Framework
Hospital play
specialist
Hospital play specialists plan
and supervise activities with
children in hospital to help
them express their feelings
through play
Hospital play specialists may
find themselves involved in:
Edexcel Professional
Development Certificate
in Hospital Play
Specialism/Level 4
Diploma in Specialised
Play for Sick Children
and Young People
Normally a Level 3
• providing therapeutic play
qualification in Education
programmes in playrooms,
and Childcare will be
outpatient clinics, accident
required for this course
and emergency or
intensive care units
• preparing children to cope
with surgery or other
procedures
• contributing to clinical
judgements through
observations
Qualified and
experienced hospital play
specialists may be able to
progress on to
supervisory or
management roles or
take up opportunities
within the social care
team
11
Job Title
Brief description of job
Training/Qualifications
Opportunities
Local authority
early years
employees
All local authorities have an
early years and childcare
service. This can encompass
many different specialised
roles within the early years
sector
Level 3 Diploma in
Nursery Nursing or
equivalent
Qualified and
experienced local
authority early years
employees may be able
to move to other
specialised roles within
the local authority
Local authority early years
employees may find
themselves involved in:
• assisting childcare settings
with writing policies and
procedures
HND in Early Childhood
Studies
BA Honours in Early
Childhood Studies
Qualified Teacher Status
Early Years Professional
Status
• recommending/providing
training for childcare staff
• planning for the Early
Years Foundation Stage in
settings
• helping parents to find
childcare
Nursery manager
Nursery managers are
responsible for the day-today running and financial
management of a nursery
The nursery manager may
find themselves involved in:
• recruitment and
management of staff
• overseeing the childcare
and education activities
provided in the nursery
• ensuring that the service
meets the requirements of
the Early Years Foundation
Stage and Welfare
Requirements
Level 3 or 4 qualification
in Nursery Nursing or
Children’s Care, Learning
and Development or
equivalent.
Experience of working as
a qualified nursery nurse
and experience in a
supervisory role
Qualified and
experienced nursery
managers could work
towards the Early Years
Professional Status or if
managing a Children’s
Centre may go on to
achieve the National
Professional Qualification
in Integrated Centre
Leadership
12
Job Title
Brief description of job
Training/Qualifications
Opportunities
Pre-school leader
Pre-school leaders are
responsible for providing
safe, high quality education
and care for pre-school
children; to supervise staff on
a day to day basis and
contribute to and implement
pre-school policies under the
direction of the management
committee
Diploma in Pre-school
Practice or NVQ Level 3
in Children’s Care
Learning and
Development or
equivalent
Qualified and
experienced pre-school
leaders could work
towards the Early Years
professional status or if
managing a Children’s
Centre may go on to
achieve the National
Professional Qualification
in Integrated Centre
Leadership
Pre-school leaders may find
themselves involved in:
Experience of working in
a pre-school setting
• overseeing the education
activities provided in the
pre-school
• ensuring the service meets
the requirements of the
Early Years Foundation
Stage and Welfare
Requirements
• supervision of staff
Nanny
A qualified nanny provides
childcare within the family’s
own home
Qualified nannies or nursery
nurses are trained to provide
care and educational
development for children
from birth to 8 years old
Nannies may find themselves
involved in:
• providing suitable ageappropriate activities for
children each day
• taking and collecting
children from school/
nursery or other activities
• keeping a written account
of daily events and
progress for each child
Diploma in Childcare and Experienced and
Education
qualified nannies may
wish to develop roles
NVQ Level 2/3 in
into maternity and night
Children’s Care, Learning
nannying
and Development
They may also wish to
Voluntary part of Ofsted
move into day nursery or
Childcare Register. This is
pre-school gaining
a voluntary scheme for
experience to move into
approving childcare
senior or management
providers who meet the
positions with further
criteria. It also enables
training
parents and employers to
check if a carer is
approved
13
Job Title
Brief description of job
Training/Qualifications
Early years
practitioner
Early Years practitioners work
with children from birth to
five years in a number of
different settings including
day nurseries, schools and
children’s centres
NVQ Level 2/3 in
Children’s Care, Learning
and Development or
equivalent
Early Years practitioners may
find themselves involved in:
Opportunities
Qualified and
experienced Early Years
practitioners may be able
to progress with further
training to supervisory or
Diploma in Childcare and
management roles within
Education
early years settings
• observing and recording
children’s progress
Early Years practitioners
with a Level 3
qualification and
experience may wish to
do further qualifications
including:
• physical care, feeding,
changing and bathing
• Foundation Degree in
Early Years
• planning for the Early
Years Foundation Stage
• BA Honours Degree in
Early Childhood
Studies
• MA in Early
Childhood Studies
NVQ assessor
NVQ assessors are qualified
and experienced practitioners
in childcare, early years or
playwork who assess and
guide candidates undergoing
NVQ programmes in the
workplace
NVQ assessors may find
themselves involved in:
• visiting a number of
settings to assess
candidates
• finding support for
candidates with additional
needs
• lecturing during college
time
Assessor Awards A1/A2
Qualified to the level
above the award they
are assessing
Experience and
competence in the early
years/playwork
environment
Qualified and
experienced assessors
may take further
qualifications enabling
them to assess at higher
levels or move into
teaching with further
studying
14
Job Title
Brief description of job
Training/Qualifications
Opportunities
Pre-school
assistant
Pre-school assistants work as
part of a team to provide
quality play activities and
learning opportunities to
pre-school children. They help
to plan the delivery of the
curriculum taking into
account the needs of the
children
NVQ2 in Children’s Care,
Learning and
Development or
equivalent
Progression may include
pre-school leader. You
will usually need
between one to two
years experience of
working in a day care or
sessional setting and an
NVQ Level 3/Diploma in
Pre-school practice
NVQ Level 2/3/4
Playwork
Experienced playworkers
can progress to
supervisory or
management roles or set
up and manage one or
more after-school clubs
Pre-school assistants may find
themselves involved in:
• planning the delivery of
the Early Years Foundation
Stage Framework
• liaison with parents and
carers
• recording observations
Playworker /
play leader
Playworkers work with school
age children in out of school
settings such as breakfast
clubs, holiday playschemes,
youth groups and afterschool clubs, aiming to give
children and young people
choices about how they
spend their leisure time
Playworkers may find
themselves involved in:
• providing safe, creative
and appropriate play
opportunities
• liaising with parents,
carers and other
professionals
• assisting the children
during mealtimes
Play leaders manage the
day-to-day running of
settings and the supervision
of staff
Level 3 Diploma in
Playwork
Degree in Playwork
With further training it is
possible to specialise in a
career in play
development, play
training or play therapy
15
Job Title
Brief description of job
Training/Qualifications
Opportunities
Registered
childminder
Registered childminders look
after one or more children
under the age of eight for
more than a total of two
hours on domestic premises,
usually in their own home
Unit 1 – Introduction to
Childcare Practice (home
based)
Childminders with a level
3 qualification may be
able to work in day
nurseries or group
childcare and with
further training move
onto a senior or
management level
Registered childminders may
find themselves involved in:
CACHE Level 3 Diploma
in Home based childcare
First Aid Qualification
• all aspects of physical care
of children including
preparing and serving
food, personal hygiene
and administering first aid
where appropriate
• working closely with
parents/carers
• planning activities for a
range of children in their
care
Teaching assistant/ Teaching assistants and
learning support
learning support assistants
assistant
work alongside the teacher in
a classroom. Some are
attached to a whole class,
others may support one child
or a small group with special
educational needs
Teaching assistants and
learning support assistants
may find themselves involved
in:
• supporting children in
specific areas of the
curriculum such as literacy
• preparing for lessons and
contributing to planning
• assisting individual
children to complete tasks
Level 2/3 NVQ Teaching
Assistants
A formal qualification is
preferred but not
essential
Qualified and
experienced teaching
assistants may be able to
study for a Foundation
Degree for Teaching
Assistants
Foundation degrees offer
the possibility of
progressing to a related
honour degree which
could provide a route to
teach in primary schools
16
Qualifications
Although it is not essential to have qualifications to
embark on a career working with children, more and
more employers are looking at recruiting people
who have a qualification or at least some
experience.
High quality training for those working in the sector
is absolutely crucial. Children and families need
well-qualified people who are sensitive to their
needs and development, together with the expertise
and experience to support them.
Experience of looking after young children – in your
own family or friends’ families, for instance is always
useful in childcare. However, recognised training
equips you with the skills you need to do your job
well and the knowledge to understand and
appreciate a child’s development.
The main difference in childcare qualifications is the
age group they relate to.
• early years qualifications will equip you to work
with under 5’s in a variety of settings, such as
nurseries, pre-schools and crèches
• playwork qualifications will equip you to work
with over 5’s in out of school clubs and holiday
playschemes
On-the-job
Much of your training can take place on the job,
where you can gain qualifications such as National
Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). An assessor
supports and assesses you in your workplace. You
can train on the job while in paid or unpaid
employment. If you need help with finding a
voluntary placement contact the workforce
development officer on 023 9268 8833.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships and advanced apprenticeship
schemes are available for people aged 16 - 25. As
employees, apprentices work alongside experienced
staff to gain job-specific skills. Off-the-job, usually
on a day release basis, apprentices receive training
with a local training provider such as a college.
Please refer to the useful contacts list for further
information.
Further education colleges
Further education colleges offer a variety of courses
and qualifications which normally take place during
the academic year. Most full-time courses are for a
fixed length of time, although some colleges can be
flexible about when you attend. You may also be
able to study part-time or in evening classes.
Assessments take place at various points in the
course rather than through a single end of year
exam, and include assessments or practice in the
work placement.
For information on qualifications and where
you can study, contact the workforce development
officer on 023 9268 8833.
17
18
Levels of Qualifications
Level 1
Jobs include:
Volunteer work in any childcare, early years or playwork
setting.
• Unit 1 Introduction to childcare practice
(home based)
• Getting Started in a pre-school setting
Those new to working with children.
Level 2
Jobs include:
Playworker/out of school assistant, pre-school assistant,
crèche assistant, day nursery assistant, learning support
assistant, teaching assistant, nanny, early years
practitioners.
• Certificate for the Children and Young
People’s Workforce
• NVQ Children’s Care, Learning and
Development
• Certificate in Pre-School Practice
• Certificate in Playwork
• NVQ in Playwork
• Certificate for Teaching Assistants
• Certificate in Childcare and Education
• Certificate in Developing Skills Working
with Children & Young People
Level 3
Jobs include:
Playworker/out of school club supervisor, crèche
supervisor, nursery nurse, day nursery supervisor, toy
library worker, childminder, community nursery nurse,
hospital play specialist, local authority employees, nanny,
early years practitioners.
• Diploma for the Children and Young
People’s Workforce
• NVQ in Playwork
• NVQ Caring for Children and Young People
• Diploma in Playwork
• NVQ Children’s Care Learning and
Development
• Diploma in Pre-School Practice
• Diploma in Childcare and Education
• BTEC National Diploma in Early Years
• Diploma in Home-based Childcare
• NVQ Teaching Assistants
Level 4
Jobs include:
Day nursery manager, out of school club manager,
pre-school manager, local authority employee, lead senior
practitioners.
• NVQ in Children’s Care Learning and
Development
• NVQ in Playwork
• Certificate in Early Years Practice
PLEASE NOTE: Doing a level 4 qualification
is optional. It is possible to progress to a level
5 from level 3.
19
Level 5
Jobs include:
Day nursery manager, out of school club manager,
pre-school manager, local authority employee.
Level 6
Jobs include:
Children’s Centre manager, early years professional,
qualified teacher status, early years advisory teachers.
Level 7
Jobs include:
Heads of integrated centres, early years inspectors and
managers of early years advisers, qualified teacher.
Level 8
• Early Years Foundation Degree
• Playwork Foundation Degree
• HND in Early Childhood Studies
•
•
•
•
•
BA/BSC (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
BA Degree in Playwork
BSC (Hons) Primary Education and Teaching
QTS: Qualified Teaching Status
EYPS: Early Years Professional Status
• MA (Masters) Early Childhood Studies
• PGCE: Post Graduate Certificate of
Education
• PHD/Doctorate in Early Years
Jobs include:
National research, lecturer in early years.
Please note: this is a guide to the range of training and qualifications available and is by no means an
exhaustive list.
20
Who can help?
Portsmouth early years and childcare service
Please see pages 4 and 5 for more information on
the services we offer and our contact details
Portsmouth CHAT – family information service
CHAT provide a wide range of free information,
advice and assistance for families with children aged
0-19 years including;
• choosing childcare
• early years and childcare funding
• activities for children and young people
• parental support
For further information contact CHAT on 023 9268
8830 or email: [email protected]
Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS
Portsmouth City Council’s Youth Service and
Connexions service merged on 1st April 2009 to
form an Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS). The
vision for the IYSS is to improve the outcomes for
young people aged 13-19, or up to 25 years old for
people with learning difficulties or disabilities. There
are three teams within the IYSS:
• Information, advice and guidance (IAG): helping
young people make the right learning and career
choices and enabling them to make a successful
transition into adulthood.
• Positive activities: consisting of things to do and
places to go, including educational, cultural and
recreational activities; sports, volunteering and
participation.
• Targeted youth support (TYS): for vulnerable
young people who may not meet traditional
thresholds for statutory or specialist services but
who, without help, are at future risk of further
problems such as substance misuse, youth
offending, teenage pregnancy and homelessness.
Integrated Youth Support Services can be contacted
on 023 9273 2450 or [email protected] or
visit their website www.iyssportsmouth.info for
details of our drop-in centres across the city.
looking for work. Personal advisers can help
jobseekers with guidance on career direction and
advice on training.
Jobcentre Plus
At your local Jobcentre Plus office you will find
touch screen Jobpoints and Jobseeker Direct – a
phone service that keeps you in touch with job
vacancies. For further details contact 0845 6060
234 or textphone 0845 6055 255.
Jobcentre Plus offers a service to people over 20
years providing help on jobs and training for people
You can get details of your local Jobcentre Plus
office by visiting: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
21
New Deal
New Deal is a government programme that aims to
give unemployed people the help and support they
need to get into work. New Deal gives you the
support, training, education and work experience
you need to find lasting, worthwhile employment.
You can find out more about the different New Deal
programmes by visiting: www.newdeal.gov.uk or
contact the Portsmouth Job Centre Plus Office
during normal office hours.
22
Useful contacts
NAME
Recruitment information
Training Information
Apprenticeships
HELP AVAILABLE
Information and advice about finding a childcare
job. Free childcare jobs vacancy bulletin
Information on relevant qualifications, training
providers and funding available to undergo
training and qualifications
Provides information and advice on
Apprenticeships
CONTACT DETAILS
Tel: 023 9268 8833
Tel: 023 9268 8833
Tel: 08000 150 600
www.apprenticeships.org.uk
CACHE (Council for Awards in CACHE designs qualifications in the care and
Tel: 0845 347 2123
Children’s Care and Education) education of children and young people
www.cache.org.uk
The Children’s Workforce
Provides information and advice on early years
Tel: 0113 244 6311
Development Council (CWDC) and childcare careers, qualifications and training www.cwdcouncil.org.uk
Community Service Volunteers The UK’s largest volunteering and training
Tel: 020 7278 6601
organisation
www.csv.org.uk
Integrated Youth Support
Services (IYSS)
Support for young people aged 13-19, or up
to 25 years old for people with learning
difficulties or disabilities
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Provides information on CRB checks and how
to apply for a CRB check
Department for Education
(DfE)
Independent Safeguarding
Authority (ISA)
Learn Direct
National Childminding
Association
NHS Careers
Playwork – Skills Active
Pre-School Learning Alliance
(PLA)
Qualifications and Curriculum
Authority (QCA)
Teacher Training
Portsmouth City Council
Jobcentre Plus
Hampshire County Council
Tel: 023 9273 2450
www.iyssportsmouth.info
Tel: 0870 9090 811
www.crb.gov.uk
UK government department with responsibility Tel: 0870 000 2288
for children’s services, families, schools 14-19
www.dcsf.gov.uk
and education
The ISA helps prevent unsuitable people from Tel: 0300 123 1111
working with vulnerable people
www.isa-gov.org.uk
Independent careers advice
Tel: 0800 101 901
www.learndirect.co.uk
Promotes and supports quality childminding
Tel: 0844 264 0998
expertise and provides advice and support for www.ncma.org.uk
new and existing childminders
Provides information on opportunities within
Tel: 0845 60 60 655
the National Health Service
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and
Tel: 0845 125 9674
Learning
www.skillsactive.com/playwork
Provides training and publishes information on Tel: 020 7697 2500
pre-school work and training
www.pre-school.org.uk
Advice on courses and how they fit into the
Tel: 020 7509 5555
qualifications framework, plus information on www.qca.org.uk
accreditation for prior learning
General advice on pathways into training
Tel: 0845 6000 991
and information on teaching and support
www.tda.gov.uk
staff job roles
WHERE ELSE TO LOOK FOR WORK
Lists all jobs within Portsmouth City Council,
including posts as teaching assistants,
learning support assistants and posts within
children’s centres
Provides benefit advice and supports people
into employment and training
Lists all jobs advertised in nurseries, preschools and out of school clubs in Hampshire
www.portsmouth.gov.uk
Tel: 0845 604 3719
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Tel: 01962 813887
www3.hants.gov.uk/childcare
23
inside flap will be here
Childcare Development Team
Floor 2, Core 1-2
Civic Offices
Portsmouth
PO1 2EA
Telehone: 023 9268 8833
www.portsmouth.gov.uk
You can get this
Portsmouth City
Council information
in large print, Braille,
audio or in another
language by calling
9268 8833.
Document Ref: EYC_workingwithchildren-updated 0511
Disclaimer: Whilst we have made every effort to obtain up-to-date information, we are unable to
accept responsibility for the accuracy of information provided